American Composers Forum

JOSEPH HALLMAN
Joe Hallman began his formal study in composition upon entering the Cleveland Institute of Music. He has been an associate composer and artist-in-residence with Bright Sheng and Eve Beglarian, on separate occasions, at the Atlantic Center for the Arts in Florida. His work in audio engineering and electronic music has allowed him to work with Alan Bise, Steven Kohn, Bruce Egre (Azica Records/Cleveland Orchestra), Frank Vale (Metrosync Studios) and Paul Blakemore (Telarc International).

His collaborations include those with Alisa Weilerstein (cellist), who premiered both of his Concertos for cello and chamber orchestra, Sonata in three movements, various solo pieces, and a duet for marimba and cello. This collaboration has brought him much recognition. Her two concertos for Alisa Weilerstein were hailed by her as "totally amazing" (NY Times -1/28/01), and have also been aired on NPR.

His other collaborations and commissions have included those with the dramatic pianist, Anthony DeMare, the Cavani Quartet, the Cleveland Orchestra Youth Orchestra, Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland Institute of Music New Music Ensemble, Ian Parker, among others. He had the opportunity to work with the screenwriter/poet/novelist Antwone Fisher (from the films "Antwone Fisher" and "Finding Fish"), with the Cleveland Boy Choir in a commission for a choral work based on his poetry.

Joe is presently working on nearly a dozen new scores and commissions. He is again working with Alisa Weilerstein (and the St. Petersburg Chamber Philharmonic) on a new Cello Concerto, to be premiered in 2008 in Russia. He is also working on a new piano work for the young Canadian pianist, Ian Parker. He is working on three works for members of the Philadelphia Orchestra: First, his Concerto for English Horn and chamber group is being written for Elizabeth Starr-Masoudnia and will be premiered in February 2008 on the Philadelphia Orchestra Chamber Series. Second, a new Tuba Concerto is being written for the Philadelphia Orchestra's young phenom, Carol Jantsch. Finally, the third project with a Philadelphia Orchestra musician, cellist John Koen, is a commissioned duet for Cello and Bass to be premiered on next season's chamber series. The Eakins Vocal Consort has commissioned and will premiere a series of works based on the work of Jose Luis Borges. The Inscape Chamber Orchestra has also commissioned a new work for premiere in April '08. Working with the young American bass clarinet player, Calvin Falwell, the Concerto for Bass Clarinet will be performed in various cities across the country beginning in April 2008. "Home Variations" are being written for New York Philharmonic's English Hornist, Thomas Stacy. Two versions are being created: one for recital series and one for chamber orchestra performances.

His scholarships/prizes include the Carl G.Lampl Memorial Scholarship, the Ruth D. Sihler Scholarship, the William O. & Gertrude L. Frohring Scholarship, the Harry A. & Stella K. Brown Scholarship, the Marcel Dick Prize, and the Donald Erb Prize, and the SCI/ASCAP Student Composers Competition. He was also awarded the "Darius Milhaud Award".

News about Joe and his works can be found on his website: www.jhallmanmusic.com